Our beloved Angel, Joyce Signal Graves, gained her wings on December 10, 2023, entering the gates of heaven joining her Heavenly Father. Joyce Signal Graves was born on August 19, 1931, in New Orleans, LA to the union of Edward Signal and Sylvia Bloom. The eldest of three, she enjoyed the role of the Big Sister to Edward and Raymond. The nurturing of her siblings established the foundation for her loving, caring nature.
Joyce was a devout Catholic receiving her educational foundation in the Catholic Schools of New Orleans. She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Xavier Preparatory High School, and Xavier University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. It was on the campus of Xavier University that she met the love of her life, the handsome, debonair Kenneth J. Graves, Sr. They married on November 19, 1955, and enjoyed 68 years of marital bliss. Their union was blessed with three cherished children, Kristi, Kenneth, and Kurt. Her love for her children was evident. She was very protective, supportive, and nurturing. She showered them with love and instilled in them a love for humankind. She also wanted them to experience the beauty of the world as she planned trips throughout the United States that many African Americans did not venture. The family enjoyed spending countless hours together participating in numerous family events and traveling to various parts of the country.
Joyce was a resident of New Orleans most of her life, however, she and Kenneth established roots in Pass Christian, MS an area which she knew from her childhood having travelled there frequently because of her Father’s entrepreneurial activities. For nine years they resided there enjoying the beauty of the Gulf Coast. Following the devastation of their home in Pass Christian, because of Hurricane Katrina, they established residency in Kingwood, TX for nine years. Her Christian values prevailed as she taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Humble, TX and volunteered her time helping the elderly at the Humble Senior Living Center. They later returned to their hometown. During these years, Joyce’s outgoing nature endeared her to many, and she enjoyed the wonderful fellowship of family and friends in all the locations.
A dedicated teacher, Joyce taught in the New Orleans Public School System for over twenty years, where she helped educate hundreds of children at James Lewis Elementary School, John McDonogh 42 Elementary School, Nelson Elementary School, and Phillips Elementary School, just to name a few. In addition to teaching the fundamentals, she endeavoured to help make her students become responsible members of society by teaching them moral values, such as honesty and personal responsibility.
Joyce was truly a “Renaissance Person.” Following her retirement, she obtained her real estate license embarking on a new career selling residential properties. A few years later she purchased a building in Uptown New Orleans, where she opened a gift shop and began selling merchandise. Her creative talent blossomed, as she crafted art pieces of pottery and ceramics. Her love of pottery and ceramics was the inspiration for building an addition to her home. The new room contained a large kiln and other tools required for her creative masterpieces. In addition to making ceramic items for family and friends, she also conducted weekly pottery classes. Joyce also loved the theatre; she was always attending plays and musicals with her family and friends. Her passion for stage plays led her to become a cast member at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans, where she appeared in several plays. A highlight of her theatrical “journey” was her appearance in the movie “Runaway Jury” and a Hallmark Channel movie, to the delight of her family.
Joyce was an avid bridge and bid whist player. She was in two card clubs for over 40 years, The Bridge Bunch and The Amulets. The members of both clubs were lifelong friends. In addition to playing cards, the members would also have social events which allowed them to include family members. Even while living in Texas, she became a member of the Red Hat Society, the TOPS Club, formed a line dancing group, and played bridge with several people with whom she became close to.
Although these activities brought her joy, it was the moments spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren which brought her the greatest delight. Spending time with them was joy personified. She considered her grandchildren and great grandchildren to be one of her blessings and she loved them dearly. She enjoyed planning outings with them and would take them everywhere she went including shopping for hours. She chose a special pier on one of the Gulfport, MS beaches where she would take them and watch them swim and play for hours in the bay waters.
Joyce was the epitome of integrity, grace, and beauty. She touched many lives with her kindness, generosity, and adventurous personality. Her quick wit and zeal for life were contagious. She exemplified strength and courage and was inspiring to all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward Signal and Sylvia Bloom and her brothers Edward Signal and Raymond Signal, her sisters-in-law Rose Signal and Jean Signal.
She leaves to cherish her precious memory; her husband, Kenneth J. Graves, Sr.; her daughter Kristi G. Hubbard (Michael); her two sons, Kenneth J. Graves, Jr. (Linda) of Kingwood, TX and Kurt M. Graves (Belinda) of Spring, TX; her nine grandchildren, Michael Hubbard II, Megan Hubbard, Kyle Hubbard, Kenneth J. Graves, III, Lindsey Graves, Kurt J. Graves, Miguel Graves, LeAnn Graves, Joseph Graves, and her six great grandchildren, Miguel C. Graves, Melody Graves, Madison Vicknair, Londyn Graves, Kennedy Graves and Kenneth J. Graves, IV; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, close relatives, and very special family friends. Her legacy will continue in the lives of all whom she loved.
Relatives, and friends of the family, Employees of Hubbard and Tennyson, Innovative Strategic Partners Team; Parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Church and St. Gabriel Catholic Church; Members of Omicron Lambda Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc; and Links, Inc. are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home (5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard). Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Reflections at 10:45 a.m., Mass begins at 11:00 a.m., Interment at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, All Saints Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions in memory of Joyce Signal Graves be sent to Xavier University 1 Drexel Drive Campus Box 66 New Orleans, LA 70125-9911 or e-mail https://giving.xula.edu/pages/memorial-gifts.
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